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lUiNrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY CHURCH, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

CLASP Foe RoLLER-CHAlN y BRACELETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 293,419, dated 1:"elo1uary 12, 1884:.V

l Application filed December 15, 1881?. (No model.) l

To all whom t may con/cern: A

Be it known that I, HENRY A. CHURCH,

a citizen of the Unitedl States, residing` at` Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have .invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps for Roller-Chain Bracelets; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters p or figures of reference marked thereon, which sition.

form a part of this specification.

My present invention relates to clasps for roller'chain bracelets; and it consists of a'slide adaptedto receive and frictionally retain the chain in position, and further adapted to serve as a clasp or catch for the free end of the chain, by means of a slotted opening in the back of the said hollow slide, in combination with a T-shaped connection secured to said chain end, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, showing my invention enlarged, Figure l represent-s a portion of a roller-chain bracelet, viewed from the back or inner side thereof, clasped or secured tothe slide according to my invention. Fig. 2 represents a "perspee tive view of a bracelet provided withmy improvement as in use. Fig. 3 represents a back view of the slide, having a portion of the back plate broken away, showing the end of the bracelet or chain secured therein. Fig.4 represents a modification of the same. represents a transverse section through the slide, Src( Again referring to the drawings, A represents, broadly, a roller-chain bracelet, consisting of the -chain made from units c, (see Fig.

1,) andfurther consisting of the hollow slide B, the latter being divided into two vertical chambers, s b'by means of the partition e. The vchamber s is adapted to be lined with cork, s', or other suitable elastic material, which serves to frictionally retain the chain c in po- The exterior plate, b2, of the chamber b3 is provided with a slot, b, extending nearly ,across the same, as fully shown.' 'Io-the free provided with the T'shaped extension a a2,

adapted to be inserted within the chamber b3.

. In Fig. 4 I have represented a modification of the slot or opening b of the plate b2, as indicated at b.

The manner of operation is as follows:' The free end of the chain is held depending between the iingers, when a partial or quarter twist is given to the same, thereby allowing the end c of the fastening to pass through the slot b, as, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, when, now, by releasing the fingers from the chain, the latter will readily assume the locked position, as shown, the shank a being retained within the narrow slot of the edge of the slide B, the metal f thereof being interposed between the parts a and a2, the latter being adapted to bear firmly against said edge f, all as fully shown. y

It is practically impossible for a roller-chain bracelet to become accidentally unclasped when provided with my invention, shown and claimed herewith.

Another important feature incidental to this improvement is that I am enabled to save from one to two inches in the length of each bracelet, as formerly roller-chain bracelets required to be extended sufficiently to admit the hand of the wearer, after which the free end of the chain was drawn through the slide, thereby contracting the chain and encircling the wrist. As before stated, I am enabled with my invention to save a certain proportion or length of the chain of each bracelet, amounting nearly to the difference between such extension and contraction, resulting in a consequent saving in cost of manufacture.

The slide B is adapted to be made very ornamental, and also provided with settings, as common. The bracelet is also provided with the sliding guide w and tassels or terminals t, when desired.

Having thus described my invention, ,what I claim as new, and desire. to secure by Letters Patent, isl. In a rollerchain bracelet, the clasp or fastening herein described, consisting of a double-chambered slide provided at the back with an openingor slot adapted to receive IOO suitable attaching means secured to the free` end of the. chain, as and for thev purpose setA forth.

2. In al roller-chain bracelet, the slide B7 5` herein described, provided with the two chambers s b3, the former adapted to receive and frictionally retain the chain7 the latter chamber adapted by means of the opening b to lreceive and retain the free end of the chain when 1o in use, substantially as shown and set forth.

8. In a :roller-chain bracelet, the slide B7 provided with chambers s b, and slotted opening b, in combination with the T-shaped clasp or fastening a2 a', secured to the free end of the 15 chain, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a roller-chain bracelet7 the slide B, herein described, provided With chambers s b3, and slotted T-shaped opening b b, in combination with the T-shaped fastening,` or clasp secured to the free end of the chain7 substan- 2o tially as shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I have afIiXed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY A. CHURCH.

Titnessesz WM. R. DUTEMPLE, GEO. H. REMINGTON. 

